Poli Sci Ch 6-7

Front 1

interest group

Back 1

an organized group of individuals sharing common objectives who actively attempt to influence policymakers

Front 2

purposive incentive

Back 2

a reason to join an interest group-statsifcation resulting from working for a cause in which one believes

Front 3

solidary incentive

Back 3

a reason to join an interest group- pleasure in associating with like-minded individuals

Front 4

material incentive

Back 4

a reason to join an interest group- practical benefits such as discounts, subscriptions, or group incurance

Front 5

free rider problem

Back 5

the difficulty that exists when individuals can enjoy the outcome of an interest groups efforts without having to contribute, such as becoming members of the group

Front 6

pluralist theory

Back 6

a theory that views politics as a contest among various interest groups- at all levels of gov.- to gain benefits for their members

Front 7

public-interest group

Back 7

an interest group formed for the purpose of working for the public good. example; the american civil liberties union and common cause

Front 8

labor force

Back 8

all of the people over the age of 16 who are working or actively looking for jobs

Front 9

right-to-work laws

Back 9

laws that ban unions from collecting dues or other fees from workers whom they represent but who have not actually joined the union

Front 10

direct technique

Back 10

any method used by an interest group to interact with gov. officials directly to further the groups goals

Front 11

lobbying

Back 11

all of the attempts by organizations or by individuals to influence the passage, defeat, or contents of legislation or to influence the administrative decisions of the gov.

Front 12

lobbyist

Back 12

an individual who handles a particular interest groups loobying efforts

Front 13

political action committee (PAC)

Back 13

a committee that is established by a corporation, labor union, or special interest group to raise funds and make campaign contributions on the establishing organizations behalf

Front 14

independent expenditure

Back 14

an expenditure for activities that are independent from those of a political canidiate or party

Front 15

indirect technique

Back 15

any method used by interest groups to influence gov. officials through 3rd parties, voters

Front 16

rating system

Back 16

interest group evaluates the performance of legislators based on how often they vote with the groups position on issues

Front 17

political party

Back 17

a group of individuals who organize to win elections, operate the gov. and determine policy

Front 18

realignment

Back 18

a process in which popular support for and relative strength of the parties shift and the parties reestablished with different coalitions of supporters

Front 19

dealignment

Back 19

among voters, a growing detachment from both major political parties

Front 20

primary

Back 20

a preliminary election held for the purpose of choosing a parties final canidiate